Samatva Nurturing Future - Parents Checklist / Early signs

If you're reading this page, you're probably worried. Maybe your child isn't talking yet. Maybe they're struggling in school despite being smart. Maybe a teacher or relative said something that planted a seed of concern in your mind.

First, take a breath. You're not alone, and you're doing the right thing by seeking information.

At Samatva Nurturing Futures in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai (easily accessible to Mumbai parents via Atal Setu), we work with hundreds of families navigating these exact worries. This checklist will help you identify early warning signs across different developmental areas—and more importantly, understand what to do next.

🚨 Important: This is NOT a Diagnostic Tool

This checklist helps you identify red flags that warrant professional evaluation. It does NOT replace assessment by a qualified developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or special educator.

If you check multiple boxes, please schedule a consultation. Early intervention makes a profound difference.

👶 Speech & Language Development

⚠️ Not babbling or making varied sounds ("ba-ba," "da-da," "ma-ma")

⚠️ Not responding to their name when called

⚠️ Not pointing at things they want

⚠️ Not using gestures like waving "bye-bye" or shaking head "no"

⚠️ Doesn't seem to understand simple words like "no" or "bye"

What's Normal: By 12 months, most children say at least one word. By 18 months, they should have 10-20 words and be combining gestures with sounds.

⚠️ Not speaking at all by 18 months (Many parents in Ulwe visit us asking, "My child is 2 years old but not speaking yet.")

⚠️ If your child has not said their first words by 18 months, or has stopped speaking after previously using words, it may be a sign of speech delay

⚠️ Only using single words, no two-word combinations ("mama milk," "more cookie")

⚠️ Not imitating words or sounds

⚠️ Doesn't understand simple instructions ("Give me the ball")

⚠️ Vocabulary of fewer than 50 words by age 2

What's Normal: By age 2, most children use 50+ words and are combining two words ("more juice," "daddy go").

⚠️ Can't be understood by strangers (unclear speech)

⚠️ Not using simple sentences ("I want cookie")

⚠️ Repeats questions instead of answering them (echolalia)

⚠️ Only repeats what others say without spontaneous speech

⚠️ Can't follow two-step instructions ("Get your shoes and come here")

⚠️ Vocabulary isn't growing steadily

What's Normal: By age 3, children should be using 3-4 word sentences and be understood by familiar adults most of the time.

⚠️ Speech is very difficult to understand

⚠️ Leaves out or substitutes sounds consistently ("tat" for "cat")

⚠️ Stutters or gets stuck on sounds

⚠️ Has trouble with back-and-forth conversation

⚠️ Takes everything literally (doesn't understand jokes or idioms)

⚡ Attention & Activity Level (ADHD Signs)

Toddler/Preschool Age (2-5 years):

⚠️ Extreme hyperactivity: High energy is normal in toddlers, but if you are looking for toddler hyperactive treatment because your child cannot sit still for even 2 minutes, specialized intervention can help regulate their energy levels

⚠️ Constantly running, climbing, moving—never stops

⚠️ Can't engage in quiet activities even briefly

⚠️ Extremely impulsive—acts without thinking (dangerous behaviors)

⚠️ Talks excessively, can't take turns in conversation

⚠️ Doesn't seem to listen when spoken to directly

⚠️ Loses things constantly (toys, shoes, belongings)

⚠️ Gets easily frustrated and has frequent meltdowns

What's Normal: Toddlers have lots of energy! The difference is severity and context—can they calm for stories, meals, or screen time? Or is there truly no "off switch"?

School Age (6+ years):

⚠️ Can't stay seated in class or during homework

⚠️ Fidgets constantly (tapping, wiggling, touching everything)

⚠️ Blurts out answers before questions are finished

⚠️ Interrupts others frequently

⚠️ Has trouble waiting their turn in games or activities

⚠️ Doesn't follow through on tasks (starts but doesn't finish)

⚠️ Homework takes hours due to distractibility

⚠️ Forgets daily routines despite reminders

⚠️ Seems to "not hear" instructions repeatedly

⚠️ Loses or damages belongings frequently

⚠️ Takes risks without considering consequences

👀 Social Communication & Interaction (Autism Signs)

Infancy & Toddlerhood (6-24 months):

⚠️ Child not making eye contact when you call their name (This is often one of the earliest signs of communication differences. Play-based therapy can help children build social connection.)

⚠️ Doesn't smile back when you smile at them

⚠️ Doesn't show interest in peek-a-boo or other social games

⚠️ Doesn't point to show you things (12+ months)

⚠️ Doesn't respond to cuddling or being held

⚠️ Prefers to play alone, doesn't notice other children

⚠️ Doesn't babble or coo in a "conversational" way with you

⚠️ Seems to be in their own world

⚠️ Limited or no eye contact during interactions

⚠️ Doesn't show you things or bring objects to share

⚠️ Doesn't respond to their name consistently

⚠️ Prefers playing alone; doesn't seem interested in other children

⚠️ Doesn't engage in pretend play (feeding doll, "cooking" with toy kitchen)

⚠️ Repeats words or phrases out of context (echolalia)

⚠️ Gets extremely upset by minor changes in routine

⚠️ Lines up toys or objects obsessively

⚠️ Has very intense, narrow interests (only talks about one topic)

⚠️ Repetitive movements (hand flapping, spinning, rocking)

⚠️ Doesn't understand emotions in others (doesn't comfort when someone is sad)

⚠️ Difficulty making or keeping friends

⚠️ Doesn't understand social "rules" (personal space, turn-taking)

⚠️ Misses social cues (doesn't know when others are bored or annoyed)

⚠️ Takes language very literally (confused by sarcasm, idioms)

⚠️ Talks at people rather than with them (monologues about interests)

⚠️ Doesn't adapt communication style (talks to adults and peers the same way)

⚠️ Unusual tone of voice (monotone or overly formal)

⚠️ Strong preference for sameness and routines

⚠️ Intense special interests that interfere with daily life

👂👁️ Sensory Processing Issues

Over-Responsive (Sensory Sensitive):

⚠️ Covers ears at normal sounds (vacuum, toilet flush, hand dryer, crowded places)